The Patriots got some needed reinforcements Wednesday. Mack Hollins and Greg Van Roten returned to practice after extended stints on injured reserve, and even in limited capacity, their presence matters. These aren't fringe roster guys — they're starter-level contributors who've been sorely missed.
Van Roten at guard is the more immediate concern. Interior offensive line depth has real NFL consequences. You can't just plug in a body and expect competent pass protection or run-game execution. Van Roten brings experience and scheme familiarity that doesn't materialize overnight. With Joe Michalski at center and the rotating cast of guards around him, getting a healthy Van Roten back into the fold stabilizes things up front. That's not flashy, but it's foundational.
Hollins on the perimeter opens up the passing game in ways the depth chart alone doesn't show. A.J. Brown and Kayshon Boutte carry the load, sure, but having another proven target — especially one who understands route concepts and can win contested balls — creates spacing for everyone. DeMario Douglas and the rest of the receiving corps benefit when defenses can't just key on two guys.
Here's the thing though: neither player practiced at full capacity Wednesday. That's the cautionary tale embedded in the good news. These are small-step progressions. Calf and thigh injuries can linger if you rush guys back, and there's no sense blowing Week 9 to get somebody 60-70% on the field when they could be 100% in another week or two. Mike Vrabel hasn't shown himself to be reckless with injury management, which is smart thinking.
The trajectory is positive. But patience matters here. Watch how much work they get in practice the rest of the week. That'll tell you whether we're looking at contributors in Week 10 or whether this is still a couple weeks away. Either way, having them trending the right direction beats the alternative.